Impressive Growth in Cyprus Tourism Revenue: €223.3m in Q1 2024, Surging 11.7% YoY

Revenue from tourism reached an estimated €223.3m in January–March 2024, rising 11.7% compared to €200m in the first quarter of 2023, Cystat said.

Based on the results of its Passengers Survey, in March, revenue from tourism reached €113m, compared to €97.8m in the corresponding month of 2023, recording an increase of 15.5%.

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The average expenditure per person was €558.88 in March 2024 compared to €530.72 in March 2023 (up 5.3%).

Tourists from the United Kingdom, again Cyprus’ largest tourist market with 31.8% of the total in March, spent on average €73.49 per day, while tourists from Poland, the second largest market with 10.4% of total tourists, spent on average €75.86.

Tourists from Germany, the third largest market with 9.8%, spent on average €98.66 per day, while tourists from Greece with 9% of the market, spent on average €43.37 per day.

Finally, tourists from Israel, the fifth place on the market with 8.2%, spent on average €143.21 per day.

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Digital Euro Moves Forward In EU Push For Payment Independence

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

April 28, 2026

Strengthening Strategic Autonomy

At an event held at the House of the Euro in Brussels on April 22, central bank officials discussed the role of a digital euro in strengthening the European Union’s financial independence. Participants included Stelios Georgakis, Payments Supervision Director at the Central Bank of Cyprus, and Joachim Nagel, President of the Deutsche Bundesbank.

Redefining Central Bank Role In A Digital Era

Nagel stated that the digital euro is no longer viewed solely as a technical development but also as part of a broader policy direction. He emphasized the need to strengthen Europe’s payment infrastructure to ensure resilience and independence. The digital euro is intended to complement cash rather than replace it, maintaining the role of central bank money in a more digital financial system.

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Reducing Dependence On Non-European Infrastructure

According to Nagel, around two-thirds of card payments in Europe currently rely on non-European systems. This reliance is seen as a structural vulnerability. A digital euro could help reduce this dependency by supporting a more integrated and locally controlled payments framework.

Legislative Roadmap And Timeline

Looking ahead, Nagel expressed a strong optimism regarding the legislative process, suggesting that completion could occur by year‑end. This progress may set the stage for the first issuance of the digital euro as early as 2029, in alignment with Europe’s broader ambitions for financial resilience and technological advancement.

Comprehensive Payments Strategy

During the discussion, Georgakis outlined the European Central Bank’s approach to payments. The strategy combines retail and wholesale systems, including instant payments, a digital euro, and infrastructure based on distributed ledger technology. Improving cross-border payment efficiency remains a key objective.

Transforming Europe’s Financial Landscape

The discussion reflected alignment between central banks, policymakers, and other stakeholders on the direction of Europe’s payment systems. Development of a digital euro is positioned as part of a broader effort to strengthen financial infrastructure, support economic resilience, and maintain the euro’s role in a changing global environment.

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